White Sox 5, Dodgers 4

June 17, 2012|Reuters

White Sox 5, Dodgers 4: A fourth-inning error led to the decisive run and Chicago's bullpen tossed four hitless innings as the visitors snapped a three-game losing streak.

After squandering a 4-0 cushion, the White Sox reclaimed the upper hand in the fourth inning when Alexei Ramirez was hit by a pitch, stole second, took third on an error by Los Angeles second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. and scored when Alejandro De Aza grounded into a fielderâs choice.

Chicago starter Philip Humber (3-4) and four relievers combined to hold the Dodgers without a hit after Chad Billingsley led off the fourth inning with a single. The White Sox worked around leadoff walks in the seventh and eighth innings, and Addison Reed pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save in as many chances.

Ramirez singled in a pair of runs in the second inning and scored on a base hit to right by Humber. Alex Rios added an RBI triple in the top of the third before Los Angeles tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Hairston got the Dodgers on the board with a sacrifice fly, and Bobby Abreu, A.J. Ellis and James Loney followed with consecutive RBI singles.

Losing pitcher Billingsley (4-5) gave up five runs - four earned - in six innings. He allowed eight hits and a walk, striking out four. Humber gave up nine hits in five innings, finishing with four strikeouts, two walks and two wild pitches.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Humberâs RBI single was the first hit of his major league career. ... Starting pitchers Billingsley and Humber were a combined 3-for-4 at the plate. ... The Dodgers remained four games in front of San Francisco in the National League West, while Chicago stretched its lead over Cleveland in the American League Central to a game and a half.